MAN O'WAR IRONCLAD

With fruit coming from 14 different vineyard sites and five Bordeaux varieties, there’s plenty going on, but everything comes together beautifully. It’s also a great reminder that the Kiwis can make some seriously good reds that aren’t just Pinot Noir, and this is a cracking example. Packed with dark plum, blackberry and ripe berry fruit, with some lovely savoury notes, crushed rock and a slight coastal edge underneath. It has plenty of power and structure, but it still feels fresh and balanced rather than heavy. The higher proportion of Merlot in this vintage really helps as well, giving the wine a softer, rounder feel and making it surprisingly approachable now. There’s still plenty of tannin and structure there though, so I’d be very comfortable putting a few bottles away for years to come. A seriously good Waiheke Island red — rich, complex, well rounded and a great example of how well Bordeaux-style blends can work in New Zealand.